How much sun does Sago Pondweed need?

Sago Pondweed grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Sago Pondweed bloom?

Sago Pondweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.

Where is Sago Pondweed native?

Sago Pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Sago Pondweed HOA-friendly?

Sago Pondweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Sago Pondweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Potamogeton pectinatus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Sago Pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Ridge and Valley Interior River Valleys and Hills Sonoran Basin and Range Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Sago pondweed is an aquatic perennial that grows submerged in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. This native plant produces small spikes of flowers above the water surface during summer months. It requires consistently wet conditions and is not suitable for typical landscape settings.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sago Pondweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Requires permanent standing water
Not suitable for standard residential landscapes
Would appear dead or absent in typical planting beds

Wildlife value

Provides important habitat and food for waterfowl, with seeds and tubers eaten by ducks and other aquatic birds. The submerged vegetation offers shelter for fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Common questions

How much sun does Sago Pondweed need?: Sago Pondweed grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Sago Pondweed bloom?: Sago Pondweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
Where is Sago Pondweed native?: Sago Pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Sago Pondweed HOA-friendly?: Sago Pondweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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